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Sabbath Service
January 30, 2010

Scriptures used in this service are from the New American Standard Bible,
with sacred names restored.

Torah Reading: Exodus 13:17—17:16
Haftorah Reading: Judges 4:4—5:31
Brit Chadasha Reading: John 6:15-71

(You may incorporate the Torah. Haftorah, and Brit Chadasha portions into the following service, or read them before, after, or at some point during your Sabbath observance.
There are many sources for Torah study on the web and they are all doing a much better
job than we could do. The studies and scripture readings in these services go in a different
direction and are intended to complement your Torah study. We do encourage all
to study Torah—the source of life.)

MESSIANIC OPENING (Others may drop down to “Call to Worship”)
(Written for families — modify parts for other small groups or for individuals)

Lighting of Candles
The father says:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was Elohim … Through him all things were made … In him was life, and that life was the light of men. … The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:1,3,14). Yahshua is ‘the light of the world’ (John 8:12), the ‘true light that gives light to every man’ (John 1:9). Through him we are empowered to be lights in the world (Phil. 2:15). As we light these two Shabbat candles, we set this night apart unto Yahweh to remember that we are given both physical rest and spiritual rest through the gift of Yahweh by his Son, Yashua Messiah.
The mother lights two candles while saying this blessing:
Blessed are you, O Yahweh our Elohim, King of the universe, who has set us apart by your Word and has called us to be the light of the world.

Blessing Yahweh for the Wine
The father pours wine into a cup, and holds it up, saying:
Wine represents to us the joy that we have in knowing that through the shed blood of Yahshua we have ceased from our labors and entered into his rest. Through it we remember the price that he paid for our redemption.
The father prays this blessing:
Blessed are you, O Yahweh our Elohim, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.
All partake of the cup.

Blessing Yahweh for the Bread
The father holds up the bread, saying:
Bread reminds us that we have shared the true bread from heaven in the person of Yahshua, our Master.
The father prays this blessing:
Blessed are you, O Yahweh our Elohim, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.
All partake of the bread.

Blessings on Wife, Husband, Sons, and Daughters

Sound the Shofar 

Praise

Call to Worship
O Yahweh, your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
The light and peace of Yahshua Messiah be with us.
Yahshua said, “You are the light of the world.”
We let our light shine for the glory of Elohim.
Yahshua said, “You are the salt of the earth.”
We strive to maintain our savor,
to the glory of Yahweh.

Opening Prayer
Loving Elohim, you molded and carved out the universe just by speaking the words, “Let there be …”. With one breath, you gave a lifeless lump of clay animation, and what was only an etching of earth became humanity—the image of You. Gracious Elohim, the gospel of John says that in Messiah, your word became flesh—a living word, a touching word, an enlightening word, an empowering word, a healing word, a word which expresses love. Yet when we think of your power, we don’t think first of words or of love; we think of earthquakes, and floods, violent wind, thunder, lightning, and dazzle. We don’t think of simple words spoken sincerely. We don’t think of tender touches, whispers, glances, eyes which speak a thousand words. But maybe we should. As we worship you this morning, open our eyes to the power that shakes the world through the beat of the heart rather than with thunder. In the name of the one who is your Word and Love made flesh and dwelling among us, we ask. Amen.

Hymn #1  (Burgundy Hymnal)
Piano accompaniment below OR CLICK HERE (For Choral Version)

Blest and Happy is the Man
Psalm 1
Dwight Armstrong

Blest and happy is the man Who does never walk astray,
Nor with the ungodly men Stands in sinner’s way.
All he does prospers well, But the wicked are not so;
They are chaff before the wind, Driven to and fro.

Ne’er in scorner’s chair he sits, For he places his delight
In God’s law and meditates On it day and night.
All he does prospers well, But the wicked are not so;
They are chaff before the wind, Driven to and fro.

He shall be a tree that grows, Planted by the river’s side,
Which in season yields its fruit; Green its leaves abide.
All he does prospers well, But the wicked are not so;
They are chaff before the wind, Driven to and fro.

Psalm Reading
Psalms 24:1-10 NASB
1 A Psalm of David. The earth is YHVH’S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it.
2 For He has founded it upon the seas And established it upon the rivers.
3 Who may ascend into the hill of YHVH? And who may stand in His holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood And has not sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive a blessing from YHVH And righteousness from the Elohim of his salvation.
6 This is the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face—even Jacob. Selah.
7 Lift up your heads, O gates, And be lifted up, O ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in!
8 Who is the King of glory? YHVH strong and mighty, YHVH mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O gates, And lift them up, O ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in!
10 Who is this King of glory? YHVH of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah.

**NOTE: Offering a variety of different types of Messianic or sacred name music each week, we will dance before the King much as David danced when he led the Ark up to Jerusalem.

Dance before Yahweh (Messianic and Sacred Name Music)
Click on the first Track to begin the player. After all songs have played, or when you have reached the point of ending your dance, click on the “Stop” button at the top of the player (otherwise the tracks will just keep playing over and over).

This text will be replaced by the flash music player.

***Please be seated and return to the service.***

Words of Praise
Holy, holy, holy is Yahweh El Shaddai
who was and is and is to come.

Listening

Prayer on the Word
We give thanks, O Elohim of sacred stories, for the witness of holy scripture. Through it, you nurture our imaginations, touch our feelings, increase our awareness, and challenge our assumptions. Bless we pray, our hearing of your word this day. Speak to each of us; speak to all of us; and grant that by the power of your Spirit, we may be hearers and doers of your word. Amen.

HEAR THE WORD OF ELOHIM …

Hebrew Scripture Reading
Leviticus 2:11-16 NASB
11 ‘No grain offering, which you bring to YHVH, shall be made with leaven, for you shall not offer up in smoke any leaven or any honey as an offering by fire to YHVH.
12 ‘As an offering of first fruits you shall bring them to YHVH, but they shall not ascend for a soothing aroma on the altar.
13 ‘Every grain offering of yours, moreover, you shall season with salt, so that the salt of the covenant of your Elohim shall not be lacking from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt.
14 ‘Also if you bring a grain offering of early ripened things to YHVH, you shall bring fresh heads of grain roasted in the fire, grits of new growth, for the grain offering of your early ripened things.
15 ‘You shall then put oil on it and lay incense on it; it is a grain offering.
16 ‘The priest shall offer up in smoke its memorial portion, part of its grits and its oil with all its incense as an offering by fire to YHVH.

Gospel Reading (CLICK HERE for audio version)
Matthew 5:1-48 NASB
1 When Yahshua saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.
2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see Elohim.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of Elohim.
10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
12 “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;
15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

17 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.
18 “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
19 “Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

21 “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’
22 “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.
23 “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,
24 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.
25 “Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.
26 “Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent.
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’;
28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
29 “If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
30 “If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.
31 “It was said, ‘WHOEVER SENDS HIS WIFE AWAY, LET HIM GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE’;
32 but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
33 “Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD.’
34 “But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of Elohim,
35 or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING.
36 “Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.
37 “But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil.
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’
39 “But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
40 “If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.
41 “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.
42 “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’
44 “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
46 “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
47 “If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
48 “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

The Salt of the Earth
In this discourse, as presented here by Matthew, Yahshua is talking to his disciples. The pictures and images that have been created around this event usually portray Yahshua standing or sitting on a rock with large crowds of people assembled around him. Yet verse one states that Yahshua went up on the mountainside to get away from the crowds and his disciples came to him. There he taught them — the disciples.

When we come to verses 13-16 it seems most likely that these teachings are directed at the disciples and not the crowds or the world at large. Not everyone would be called “the salt of the earth” or “the light of the world.” These statements are used to set this smaller group apart from the rest of the world. They define characteristics that are uniquely their own as members of the elect or the “called” ones.

At the time that Yahshua walked the earth, salt was a greatly valued commodity. It was indispensable for the preservation of food. Lacking refrigeration or modern canning methods, the very existence of life was dependent on the use of salt to provide food for the people during the winter months. A bag of salt was considered as precious as a man’s life. So to be called “the salt of the earth” at that time was quite high praise indeed. Yahshua was exalting his disciples by the use of such a metaphor.

Additionally, salt was, and is, a seasoning that enhances the taste of food. It is physically essential to both man and beast to maintain balance in the body. Salt traditionally was used as a requisite part of the sacrifices, as we read above in the Hebrew Scriptures Reading for today. Yahweh said “…with all your offerings you shall offer salt” (Lev. 2:13). Salt was a part of the covenant with God and he instructed the people to never make an offering without salt.

This might be hard for us to understand today, as salt covenants are not a part of modern life for westernized mankind. But among the Arab nations, salt covenants are still a way of life. Historically, many treaties between individuals, groups, and nations were made by the sharing of salted foods. The Arab word for “salt” is the same word as that for “compact” or “treaty.”

So when Yahshua called the disciples “the salt of the earth,” what did he mean? First, because of the preciousness of salt, he was identifying them as being very precious and important to Yahweh. They are an essential ingredient to the world. As seasoning, the knowledge they would have to share with the world would enhance the flavor of life in general for all mankind. As preservative, their message would endure for all the ages. When you consider the use of salt in the sacrifices and offerings, it brings in the whole element of the worship system and the role of the elect in Yahweh’s kingdom.

As I was researching the use of this metaphor, I looked at several commentaries on verse 13. I had to chuckle! With no exceptions, every author who has expounded on the meaning of the expression “salt of the earth” applied it to Christianity. All of the attributes of salt are applied to a religious movement as a whole; and, of course, goes on to verse 14 to claim Christianity as also “the light of the world.”

Yahshua was not talking to a group of Christians, but rather to a group of Jewish men and women. Future events in their lives would result in them being called “Christians” by those around them, but whether they ever described themselves with that term is highly debatable. Christianity truly was a later movement; and most of us here know how badly distorted it became during the 300 years immediately following the death of Yahshua and the apostles. Yahshua was not speaking to Christians or heaping such high praise on them. He was speaking to the elect — the chosen ones of Elohim — who were all followers of the Torah.

While all this is very interesting, the important aspect of the entire discussion is NOT that Yahshua called his disciples the “salt of the earth” or “the light of the world.” What is important is his warning about the salt losing its flavor or the light being covered so it can’t be seen.

Salt, if properly stored and taken care of, will keep its flavor indefinitely. But, if exposed to the elements — earth, wind, rain, sun — in time it will become tasteless. In ancient times, salt that was treated in that manner was thrown on the roadways. While it was flavorless, it still retained the properties of preventing growth and life. They didn’t want it on their fields, so it was thrown out on the roadways where it could do no harm. It wasn’t good for anything else except paving highways — thus Yahshua’s comment that it was thrown out and trampled under foot.

If the elect are the salt of the earth that Yahshua is speaking of, how would they lose their flavor? By exposure to the elements — basically exposure to the world. The world is under the control of Satan and he has been working for centuries to steal away all of Yahweh’s revelation and replace it with his own distortions. This is why the authors of the commentaries can so easily apply Yahshua’s message to Christianity with no apology. They are living in the world and completely under the sway of Satan’s deceit and distortion. They don’t know they are being deceitful because they themselves are completely deceived.

We have to protect the precious flavor that we have been given by coming out of the world. The same could be said about the light from verse 14. Our light can be completely extinguished by the influences of the world.

The structure of Matthew 5 is very revealing. First Yahshua defined the character traits of the elect through what has come to be called the Beatitudes (vs. 3-12). Then he warns the disciples about losing these character traits through the metaphors of salt losing its flavor and light being hid (vs. 13-16). Then immediately makes it clear that these characteristics come from the law and the prophets. The source of the flavor and the light is the Torah, not the world (vs. 17-20). The world gave us Christianity. And the world can steal away the precious flavor and light that we have been given through the Torah.

The following Epistle readings speak more about coming out of the world.

We will be looking at more of Matthew 5 next week.

Hymn #45  (Burgundy Hymnal)
Piano accompaniment below OR CLICK HERE (For Choral Version)

Our El (God) is Good and Upright
Psalm 25
Dwight Armstrong

Our El (God) is good and upright; the way He’ll sinners show.
The meek in judgment He will guide, and make His paths to know.
The whole paths of Yahweh (the Lord) are truth and mercy sure
To those that keep His covenant and testimonies pure.

Now, for Thine own name’s sake, O Yah (Lord), I Thee entreat
To pardon mine iniquity, for it is very great.
What man is he that fears Yahweh (the Lord) and doth Him serve?
Him shall He teach of His own way; the way that he should choose.

His soul shall dwell at ease; and his posterity
Shall flourish still and of the earth inheritors shall be.
With those that fear Him is the secret of Yahweh (the Lord);
The knowledge of His covenant He will to them afford.

Epistle Readings
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 NASB
14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
15 Or what harmony has Messiah with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?
16 Or what agreement has the temple of Elohim with idols? For we are the temple of the living Elohim; just as Elohim said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR ELOHIM, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
17 “Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says YHVH. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you.
18 “And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says YHVH El Shaddai.

Revelation 18:1-8 NASB
1 After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illumined with his glory.
2 And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird.
3 “For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth of her sensuality.”
4 I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues;
5 for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and Elohim has remembered her iniquities.
6 “Pay her back even as she has paid, and give back to her double according to her deeds; in the cup which she has mixed, mix twice as much for her.
7 “To the degree that she glorified herself and lived sensuously, to the same degree give her torment and mourning; for she says in her heart, ‘I SIT as A QUEEN AND I AM NOT A WIDOW, and will never see mourning.’
8 “For this reason in one day her plagues will come, pestilence and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for YHVH Elohim who judges her is strong.

Study Paper, Video or Audio Sermon (Optional, Your Choice)
Some prefer to complete the service through the Benediction and then engage in a study or listen to a sermon or video presentation. Please use the service in whatever way works best for you or your small group.

Speaking

Hymn #223 (Blue Hymnal)
Piano accompaniment below OR CLICK HERE (For Choral Version)

Praise Ye Yahweh (The Lord)!
Psalm 148
Dwight Armstrong

Praise ye Yahweh (the Lord)! Praise ye Yahweh (the Lord)!
Praise from the heavens and praise in the heights.
Praise Him, ye angels, praise Him, ye hosts,
And praise Him ye sun, moon and stars in the heights.
Heaven of heavens, waters above;
Praise the Eternal let all praise His Name!
When He commanded they were created,
And by a decree fixed their bounds evermore!

Praise ye Yahweh (the Lord)! Ye mammals and deeps too,
Fire, hail and wind storms fulfilling His word!
Vapours and show all hills too, and mountains,
All cedars and fruitful trees, let’s praise His Name!
Wild beasts and cattle, birds and all reptiles,
Earth’s kings and judges, all people and chiefs;
Young men and maidens, old men and children;
All praise ye the Name of our El (God) evermore!

Praise ye Yahweh (the Lord)! Praise ye Yahweh (the Lord)!
Praise from the heavens and praise in the heights!
Praise Him ye angels Praise Him ye hosts,
His glory is higher than heaven above;
El (God) lifted high the horn of His people;
He has exalted the praise of His saints;
They are a people near unto El (God)
The children of Israel, praise ye Yahweh (the Lord)!

Prayer of Petition
O Yahweh, you are all around us and in us.
We thank you for your presence
From the east we hear you call us to freshness and newness of the day.
Deliver us, O Elohim, from ruts and stagnant waters.
From the west we hear you call us to the completeness and wholeness we are created to be.
Deliver us, O Elohim, from our broken hearts and incompleted dreams.
From the south we hear you call us to warmth and growth.
Deliver us, O Elohim, from hard hearts and cold hands.
From the north we hear you call us to the refreshment and peace of a cool, bubbling spring.
Deliver us, O Elohim, from our boiling, destructive anger.
From below we hear you offer us a solid foundation.
Deliver us, O Elohim, from our unstable faith.
From above we hear you call us to life beyond what we experience here.
Deliver us, O Elohim, from our limited perception.
Praise be to Yahweh!

Silent and Personal Prayers

The Shema
       Hear, O Israel, Yahweh our Elohim is One. Blessed be the name of Yahweh whose glorious kingdom is forever! You shall love Yahweh your Elohim with all of your heart. You shall love Yahweh your Elohim with all of your soul. You shall love Yahweh your Elohim with all of your mind. You shall love Yahweh your Elohim with all your strength.
       And these words, which I am instructing you today, shall be on your heart, and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them, when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets on your forehead. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house, and on your gates. (Deut. 6:6-9)

       Yahshua said, “You shall love Yahweh your Elohim with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt. 22:37-39)

Closing Prayer
It is good to give thanks.
It is good to offer peace, Shalom, Yahweh’s peace.
It is good to walk in the freedom that Yahshua has obtained for us.
Go in peace, Shalom.

Aaronic Blessing
Yahweh bless you and keep you: Yahweh make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you: Yahweh lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.